Types of Surgery That Relieve Musculoskeletal Pain

Musculoskeletal surgeons, also known as orthopedic surgeons, help people find bone and muscle pain relief. Injuries involving the bones and joints are common, but even regular everyday use can take its toll. Illnesses like arthritis can also cause significant joint pain.

Doctors utilize a variety of surgical strategies using everything from noninvasive Dermabond skin glue to bone reduction forceps to relieve musculoskeletal pain. The surgeries below are among the most common.

Joint Replacement Surgery

One of the most common types of musculoskeletal surgery is joint replacement. This surgery is typically used in the hips and knees but can also be done to the ankles, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. Depending on the extent of the damage either total joint replacement or partial joint replacement can be performed.

During the surgery, the surgeon will remove the affected bone and cartilage. If it’s a total joint replacement the joint is removed and a prosthetic is put in its place. The prosthetic is designed to function exactly like the joint so that the person can enjoy full mobility without pain. The surgeon will fuse the prosthetic to the bones using either surgical cement or by implanting it into the bone.

Bone Fusing Surgery

As the name suggests, bone fusing surgery is a procedure in which two or more bones are fused together. This is commonly done in the spine. It can, however, also be performed in the ankle.

When two bones in the ankle or spine rub together, it can cause serious pain and nerve damage. Bone fusion surgery prevents the rubbing by inhibiting the movement of one of the bones. To do this, a graft (usually bone) is fused between the bones. Special tools are used to gently move the muscles away from the bones so the grafting can take place. That way the muscles don’t have to be cut away, which would cause unnecessary damage and extend the recovery time.

Oftentimes, arthritis is the cause of the problem that results in bone fusing surgery. There are a number of other conditions in the spine that can also cause the discs between the vertebrae to wear allowing the bones to grate together. Those conditions include scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis.

Surgeries to Repair Muscle and Ligament Tears

Muscle and ligament injuries are common in sports. They are often a result of either collisions or overexertion that pushes the muscle or ligament past its limit. When that occurs the muscle or ligament can tear.

Minor tears may be able to heal on their own, but often surgery is needed to repair the muscle or ligament. Two surgeries that are regularly performed are anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery and medial collateral ligament (MCL) surgery. Both of these ligaments are in the knee.

MCL and ACL surgery are considered reconstructive surgery that restores stability while relieving pain. The surgeon will look at the knee using x-ray, MRI or ultrasound imaging to determine the extent of the damage. If the ligament is completely torn, (Grade III) surgery is then suggested. A scalpel is used to make an incision and the torn ligament is removed. A healthy tendon from another part of the knee is used to replace the ligament, which is known as grafting. Over time new ligament tissue will grow around the tendon.

With virtually all musculoskeletal surgeries there is a significant recovery period. Typically, physical therapy is needed for the patients to regain mobility and ensure that the injury doesn’t occur again. It’s important to follow through with the entire physical therapy regimen, including exercises that should be done at home.

Most people will feel pain relief soon after surgery. However, you can expect the recovery period to range from a few weeks to a month or more.